Garment worn around thigh of a tennis player to hold tennis balls

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a garment worn around thigh of a tennis player. The garment includes a wearable unit, and a restraining unit. The wearable unit includes a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. In an embodiment, the wearable unit is made from a technical fabric that is lightweight and comfortable so that game of the tennis player may not affect. The restraining unit configured with the middle portion of the wearable unit to restrain plurality of tennis balls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a garment for retaining one or more tennis balls around the body of the user during tennis. More particularly the present invention relates to a garment having a wearable unit, to be worn around the thigh of a tennis player, and a retaining unit adjoined to the wearable unit to hold the tennis balls.

BACKGROUND

Female tennis players who do not have access to pockets or ball boys/girls to store new service balls face a challenge in carrying extra service balls, this results in the disruption for recreational tennis players during friendly games or matches. This is specifically problematic in non-tennis attire, where some female tennis players do not have pockets, or where pockets are available (in non-tennis attire) but are not designed to fit tennis balls, thus making the fit uncomfortable and the tennis ball unsecured and prone to falling out of the pocket during a point.

Conventionally, female tennis attire consists of a skirt worn over or with inbuilt tennis “panties” or tight compression shorts which frequently contain pockets. The tennis balls are usually stored in shorts worn under or built into tennis skirts. Many of the shorts worn under skirts have inbuilt pockets but often, players choose to forgo the pocket and store the tennis ball right under the shorts. However, for recreational tennis players who may choose to wear regular sports clothes to play tennis, and lack access to pockets that are suitable for tennis balls will face challenges in holding a second ball for a second serve or to continue play.

Additionally, female tennis clothes are not multipurpose, and are not generally worn for other sports. Furthermore it is difficult to store tennis balls in traditional gym leggings which would result in having to have separate sports attire for each activity which is costly and uneconomical. U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,256 to Beer discloses a tennis ball holder utilizing an absorbent and elastic band for encircling the lower arm to which is permanently attached a pouch through which the tennis ball is inserted and retained. However, the aforementioned patent affects the movement of the tennis player, and further having something on the arm or hand is awkward and distracting. Therefore there is a need for a garment compatible with the traditional tennis, gym and non-recreational attire and provides means for storing tennis balls without affecting the performance of the player.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A garment worn around the thigh of a tennis player is provided substantially, as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to the embodiments illustrated herein, there may be provided a garment worn around the thigh of a tennis player. The garment is worn by sliding it over the player's legs. The garment includes a wearable unit, and a restraining unit. The wearable unit is a band having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. The wearable unit is measured to the circumference of player's thigh. The top portion and the bottom portion of the wearable unit is made of a fabric that is tighter than the middle portion in order to have a better grip of the leg.

In one embodiment, the wearable unit is a band constructed from a technical fabric that is lightweight and comfortable so that game of the tennis player is not affected. Further the technical fabric is comfortable, easy to move in, and provides moisture wicking abilities. The technical fabric possesses elastic and compression properties, to enable the band to stay in place on the player's leg as well as improve blood circulation in the thigh. The use of technical fabric in the present garment does not limit the movement of the tennis player and has been used to reduce muscle soreness. Presently, technical fabric is used in compression garments to increase blood flow in the muscles which will be an added benefit to the tennis player. Suitable technical fabrics include, but not limited to, supplex, tactel, lycra, Dri-Fit and Meryl.

The restraining unit is adjoined to the middle portion of the wearable unit for the purposes of securing the tennis balls therein. The restraining unit is formed by making a separate pocket from a semicircular portion of fabric and then sewing the pocket to the wearable unit forming a “patch pocket”. The openings of the pockets are approximately equal to a diameter of a tennis ball. The tennis ball may either be stored in the restraining unit but can also be stored in the wearable unit which is accessible from the bottom portion of the wearable unit.

According to the embodiments illustrated herein, there may be provided a method for using a garment around thigh of a tennis player. The method includes the step of wearing a wearable unit around the thigh of the user. In one embodiment, the wearable unit includes a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. The wearable unit is made from a technical fabric that is elastic, lightweight and comfortable, further the top portion has a first pre-defined dimension, the middle portion has a second pre-defined dimension, and the bottom portion has a third pre-defined dimension. The first pre-defined dimension and the third pre-defined dimension are about 1.5 centimeter respectively, and the second pre-defined dimension is about 11 centimeter.

The method further includes the step of restraining plurality of tennis balls in a restraining unit adjoined to the middle portion of the wearable unit. In one embodiment, the restraining unit has a height in between about 7 centimeter to about 7.5 centimeter.

These features and advantages of the present disclosure may be appreciated by reviewing the following description of the present disclosure, along with the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiments of systems, methods, and other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent an example of the boundaries. In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, the elements may not be drawn to scale.

Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate, not limit, the scope, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the garment worn around thigh of the tennis player, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates operational view of the garment worn around thigh of the tennis player, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method for using a garment around thigh of a tennis player, in accordance with at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments have been discussed with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions provided herein with respect to the figures are merely for explanatory purposes, as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For instance, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond certain implementation choices in the following embodiments.

References to “one embodiment”, “at least one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, “for example”, and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of the ordinary skills in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any method and material similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials have been described. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are incorporated in their entirety.

It is noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the claims, the terms “first”, “second”, and so forth are to be interpreted merely as ordinal designations; they shall not be limited in themselves. Furthermore, the use of exclusive terminology such as “solely”, “only”, and the like in connection with the recitation of any claim element is contemplated. It is also contemplated that any element indicated to be optional herein may be specifically excluded from a given claim by way of a “negative” limitation. Finally, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variation(s) described herein may be set forth and claimed independently or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.

All references cited herein, including publications, patent applications, and patents, are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference, and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates the garment 100 worn around thigh of the tennis player, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The garment 100 includes a wearable unit 102, and a restraining unit 104. The wearable unit 102 includes a top portion 102 a, a middle portion 102 b, and a bottom portion 102 c. In one embodiment, the wearable unit 102 is made from a technical fabric that is elastic and lightweight and comfortable, such that game of the tennis player is not affected. Further the technical fabric provides moisture wicking abilities. Moisture-wicking means that the technical synthetic elastic fabric technical fabric is absorbent and leaves a barrier of wet fabric on the player's skin. In one embodiment, the top portion 102 a has a, the middle portion 102 b, and the bottom portion 102 c have pre-defined dimensions. The dimensions are shown and explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.

The restraining unit 104 is a pocket which is attached to the middle portion of the wearable unit 102 and is suitable to restrain, or secure, a plurality of tennis balls. In one embodiment, the restraining unit 104 is of a semi-circular shape having an opening portion 106. In one embodiment, the top portion 102 a and the bottom portion 102 c are elastically stretchable and tighter) such that the user may pull the bottom portion 102 c and insert one or more tennis balls. The middle portion 102 b may store the tennis ball independently by trapping of the ball between top portion 102 a and the bottom portion 102 c.

In one embodiment, the top portion 102 a is made of a polymer constructed, in varying proportions, from polyester an elastane. In one embodiment the top portion is about 88% Polyester, and about 12% Elastane. The elasticated top portion 102 a provides secure grip of the thigh. In one embodiment, the middle portion 102 b is made of a polymer having about 80% Polyester and about 20% of Elastane. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 102 c is made a polymer constructed, in varying proportions, from polyester an elastane. In one embodiment the bottom portion is about of 88% Polyester, and 12% Elastane to provide comfortable and secure fit around the thigh of the tennis player. In one embodiment, the restraining unit 104 is made of about 80% Polyester, and 20% Elastane. It is understood that the relative amounts of polyester and elastane can be varied according to the comfort level and elasticity required.

In one embodiment, a pre-defined dimension of the top portion 102 a and a pre-defined dimension of the bottom portion 102 c is 1.5 centimeters. The pre-defined dimension of the middle portion 102 b is 11 centimeter. The opening portion 106 is stretchable) having a length of about 6 centimeter and height of about 1 centimeter. In one embodiment, the restraining unit 104 has a height of about 7 centimeter to about 7.5 centimeter.

FIG. 2 illustrates operational view 300 of the garment 100 worn around thigh of the tennis player, in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 3 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 1. The wearable unit 102 acts as a band worn by the tennis player 302 that is made out of technical synthetic elastic fabric. The garment 100 may be sized depending on the size of the thigh (e.g., extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large). When worn, the garment 100 may be securely held in place against the player's thigh through the use of friction enhancing materials or structures.

The friction enhancing materials are placed on the inside portions of the garment such that they contact the user's leg when the device is worn. Further the friction enhancing materials help to secure the device in place through friction with the user's skin while it is firmly wrapped around the upper thigh to thus allow fluid, uninterrupted movement.

Generally, the technical fabric is lightweight and designed to move sweat or moisture away from the skin of the tennis player. Further, the technical fabric typically uses synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester or Lycra. Additionally, the usage of the technical fabric in the present invention does not limit the movement of the tennis player and reduces muscle soreness. Presently, technical fabric is used in the compression garments to increase blood flow in the muscles, which removes creatine kinase, an enzyme in present in human muscles that leaks out after muscle damage and causes ache.

The restraining unit 104, shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, acts as an in-built pocket that fits a tennis ball, tight enough such that it will not fall out, but loose enough to pull out using the players finger pressure. The restraining unit 104, an in-built pocket, is made out of a fabric having greater elasticity than the fabric used in wearable unit 102. Further the restraining unit 104 is secured at the bottom with a tight lining around the bottom outer edge of the pocket. Also, should the tennis player choose to forgo the in-built pocket, they may store the tennis ball under the band, which is secure from the top and bottom by the same material. The technical fabric of the bottom portion (shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) possesses sufficient elasticity such that the user or tennis player may easily pull it up to insert the tennis ball and secure the ball under the band.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart 400 of a method for using a garment around thigh of a tennis player, in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 4 is explained in conjunction with the FIGS. 1-2. The method initiates with the step 402 of wearing a wearable unit around the thigh of the user. In one embodiment, the wearable unit includes a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. The wearable unit is made from a technical fabric that is elastic, lightweight and comfortable, further the top portion has a first pre-defined dimension, the middle portion has a second pre-defined dimension, and the bottom portion has a third pre-defined dimension. The first pre-defined dimension and the third pre-defined dimension are 1.5 centimeter respectively, and the second pre-defined dimension is 11 centimeter.

The method further includes the step 404 of restraining plurality of tennis balls in a restraining unit adjoined to the middle portion of the wearable unit. In one embodiment, the restraining unit has a height in between about 7 centimeter to about 7.5 centimeter. In one embodiment, the middle portion may store the tennis ball independently, and further secured from the top portion and the bottom portion.

In one embodiment, the top portion and the bottom portion are elastically stretchable so that the user may pull the bottom portion and insert the tennis ball. Further the restraining unit is of a semi-circular shape having an opening portion. In one embodiment, the opening portion is stretchable with a length of 6 centimeter and height of 1 centimeter. Thus the present the garment 100 is lightweight, comfortable, and soaks the moisture away from the skin of the user. The garment 100 has an inbuilt pocket stitched onto the middle portion of the wearable unit where the tennis ball can be securely retained until use. Further in the present invention the garment 100 provides compression to the thigh.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms enclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention, provided they are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A garment worn around a thigh of a tennis player, the garment comprising: a wearable unit includes a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the wearable unit is made from a technical fabric that is elastic, lightweight and comfortable, further the top portion has a first pre-defined dimension, the middle portion has a second pre-defined dimension, and the bottom portion has a third pre-defined dimension and the third pre-defined dimension, wherein the first pre-defined dimension and the second pre-defined dimension are 1.5 centimeter respectively, and the second pre-defined dimension is 11 centimeter; and a restraining unit adjoined to the middle portion of the wearable unit to restrain plurality of tennis balls, wherein the restraining unit has a height in between 7 centimeter to 7.5 centimeter, and said restraining unit is of a semi-circular shape having an opening portion, said opening portion is stretchable with a length of 6 centimeter and height of 1 centimeter.
 2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the middle portion alternatively stores the tennis balls independently from the restraining unit, said tennis balls further secured from the top portion and the bottom portion.
 3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the restraining unit is of a semi-circular shape having an opening portion.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. A method for using a garment around a thigh of a tennis player, the method comprising the steps of: wearing a wearable unit around the thigh of a user, wherein the wearable unit includes a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the wearable unit is made from a technical fabric that is elastic, lightweight and comfortable, further the top portion has a first pre-defined dimension, the middle portion has a second pre-defined dimension, and the bottom portion has a third pre-defined dimension, wherein the first pre-defined dimension and the third pre-defined dimension are 1.5 centimeter respectively, and the second pre-defined dimension is 11 centimeter and restraining plurality of tennis balls in a restraining unit adjoined to the middle portion of the wearable unit, wherein the restraining unit has a height in between 7 centimeter to 7.5 centimeter, and said restraining unit is of a semi-circular shape having an opening portion, said opening portion is stretchable with a length of 6 centimeter and height of 1 centimeter.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the middle portion alternatively stores the tennis balls independently from the restraining unit, said tennis balls further secured from the top portion and the bottom portion.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are elastically stretchable so that the user may pull the bottom portion and insert the tennis balls.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled) 